Redemptorist brother is Datu Bago awardee

Br. Karl Gaspar, CSsR, a Redemptorist brother, was conferred the 48th Datu Bago Award this year, along with 6 others, because of his outstanding dedication and considerable contribution to the development of Davao City.

“I feel very honored as one of the seven awardees this year. It is always a pleasure to be recognized in terms of one’s contribution to one’s own city,” he said an interview.

One of the major events during the “Araw ng Davao” celebration, the Bago Datu Award recognizes exemplary individual/s who serves as models of excellence to all Davawenyos.

Gaspar was recognized because of his significant work helping uphold indigenous peoples’ (IPs’) cultural and resources rights. In particular, he has assisted the Manobo in Cotabato and Bukidnon, the Dulangan Manobo in Sultan Kudarat, and the Subanen in Zamboanga del Sur. He is also a prolific writer who wrote over 20 books.

Last year, Gaspar bagged the Ateneo de Manila University’s Parangal Ligkod Sambayanan, which honored him as a “champion of the Indigenous People’s cultural and resource rights.” The Asian Catholic Communicators also recognized his service by giving him the Lifetime Achievement Award. Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, meanwhile, conferred on Gaspar an honorary degree of Doctor in Humanities.

At present Br. Karl Gaspar is the Dean of Studies at the St. Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute in Davao City where he also teaches anthropology.​